Combat· World War II
Bougainville (Operation CHERRYBLOSSOM)
Bougainville was the largest island in the Solomons and the last big step before Rabaul.
Airfields built there would let Allied planes strike Rabaul again and again. Rather than land near the strong Japanese garrisons at the ends of the island, the Allies chose a lightly held spot in the middle, at Cape Torokina on Empress Augusta Bay. Marines of the 3d Marine Division went ashore through heavy surf and enemy fire, fought their way past bunkers, and pushed inland through deep swamp and jungle. They beat back a Japanese counterlanding, held key ridges against fierce attacks, and slowly widened the beachhead while Seabees carved airstrips out of the mud. Once the perimeter was secure and the airfields were working, the Marines handed the line to the Army and the planes began their assault on Rabaul.
Podcast episodes on World War II
Record no. 567